Wayfair
Whether you have wall-to-wall carpeting or real hardwood floors, nothing brings more warmth and character to a home than an area rug. Rugs – unlike carpets, which are smaller, more portable and easier to roll up and store – provide cushioning, offer visual interest and protect floors.
The best rugs are usually durable, practical and can be stylish additions to the home. But with so many materials, sizes and patterns to consider, shopping for a rug can take a lot of time. To help you choose the best carpet for your living space, we’ve tested a variety of popular quality and comfort options.
nuLOOM Marisela Tribal Area Rug
nuLOOM Marisela Tribal Area Rug
Style：Transitional
Back Material Type：Jute
Weave Type：Machine Made
Pile Height：Low Pile
Product Dimensions：84″L x 60″W
Item Weight：0.01 ounces
nuLOOM Marisela Tribal Area Rug: Carpets should be durable enough to look good while withstanding daily foot traffic. Made from 100% polypropylene fiber with no added chemicals, nuLoom’s Marisela carpet was designed with comfort and resilience in mind. The deep navy background is complemented by a colorful geometric pattern, creating a design style that also keeps the eye away from dust. The pattern is attractive and accurately reflects the online photo. The pink bursts are just right and don’t overwhelm or interfere with the rest of the room.
Maples Rugs Distressed Tapestry Vintage Kitchen Rugs
Maples Rugs Distressed Tapestry Vintage Kitchen Rugs
Style：Rug
Back Material Type：Rubber
Weave Type：Machine Made
Pile Height：Low Pile
Product Dimensions：46″L x 30″W
Item Weight：2.94 pounds
Maples Rugs Distressed Tapestry Vintage Kitchen Rugs: Kitchen rugs need to be hard-wearing and provide non-slip cushioning, such as Maples Rugs’ Distressed Tapestry Vintage Kitchen Rug. Designed in faded earthy tones of blue, cream and taupe, it fits a wide range of kitchen decor styles from rustic to modern. The small rug is even more beautiful in person than in the photo. The cream color appears less yellow and the pop of blue adds a soft elegance.
Safavieh Milan Shag Collection SG180-1212 Area Rug
Safavieh Milan Shag Collection SG180-1212 Area Rug
Style：Contemporary
Back Material Type：Jute
Weave Type：Machine Made
Pile Height：High Pile
Product Dimensions：10 x 8 x 1 inches
Item Weight：64 pounds
Safavieh Milan Shag Collection SG180-1212 Area Rug: Rough pile rugs may change someone’s mind about rugs. The 2 inches of pile on this coarse pile carpet provided so much softness underfoot that we were tempted to curl up and snooze on it. Our dog certainly did. We tested it in our bedroom and were able to enjoy the plush feel when we got out of bed.
nuLOOM Moroccan Blythe Area Rug
nuLOOM Moroccan Blythe Area Rug
Style：Rug
Back Material Type：Jute
Weave Type：Machine Made
Pile Height：Low Pile
Product Dimensions：120″L x 96″W
Item Weight：9 pounds
nuLOOM Moroccan Blythe Area Rug: This popular rug has a lot to offer, including durability, a stylish design, and a wide selection of sizes and colors to fit many rooms. We tried gray and off-white, which was enough to match our existing furniture. The deliberately aged Moroccan-style design creates a modern feel without losing the rest of the decor. Its 0.37-inch pile feels very soft underfoot.
Nicole Miller New York Patio Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug
Nicole Miller New York Patio Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug
Style：Patio Country Danica
Weave Type：Machine Made
Pile Height：Low Pile
Is Stain Resistant：No
Product Dimensions：86 x 62 x 0.4 inches
Item Weight：9.11 pounds
Nicole Miller New York Patio Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug：We left the carpet in various weather conditions (rain, snow and sleet) for several weeks and it proved to be very durable in our tests. The lightweight, easy-to-clean polypropylene dries well and does not absorb moisture. The material will not scratch deck and patio surfaces (although a non-slip mat is recommended and sold separately). We tested it with an outdoor carpet pad, which lay mostly flat and had only a few ripples when wet.
ReaLife Machine Washable Rug
ReaLife Machine Washable Rug
Style：Modern
Weave Type：Flat Woven
Pile Height：Medium Pile
Is Stain Resistant：Yes
Product Dimensions：96 x 30 x 0.25 inches
Item Weight：4.84 pounds
ReaLife Machine Washable Rug：Rugs made from recycled fibers, such as the ReaLife Machine Washable Vintage Bohemian Rug, add the benefit of keeping man-made materials out of landfills. Perfect for hallways and other high-traffic areas, this rug is easy to clean and suitable for children and pets.
We placed each rug in the room we thought it would fit best, including the hallway, kitchen, living room, bedroom and playroom. We then noted how attractive it looked overall and whether it was accurately reflected in the online photos and descriptions, looking at the design, thickness and color.
After putting it down, we checked to see if it lay flat or if there were any curled corner kinks. We then left it in place for a few days, noting how comfortable it was to walk on and how well it stayed in place.
To test the ease of care, we put bread crumbs and flour on the carpet before vacuuming to see how easily the crumbs came up. We squeezed some chocolate sauce on top of each for a stain test and let it sit for five minutes. Then, following the manufacturer’s instructions, we cleaned up the site, recording the length of time and difficulty level. Finally, we let our dogs and kids play on the carpet to see how well they stood up while running, playing and scratching.
It is important to buy the right rug and place it correctly for many reasons. A well-placed rug can make any room look larger, but if not placed properly, it can interfere with foot traffic and furniture. Here are the answers to some popular carpet-related questions.
What is the correct placement of an area rug?
Most often, an area rug should be placed in the middle of a room, with 1 foot of space on each side of the rug.
How do you place an area rug on hardwood floors?
Make sure you purchase a rug with a natural fiber backing (as opposed to latex). This allows airflow and won’t trap moisture, which can damage wood floors. Then use a felt or rubber pad underneath the rug to keep it firmly in place.
How far should a rug go under a couch?
Ideally, an area rug should extend under the front and back couch legs. If that is not possible it’s fine to place a rug so it reaches under the front legs, but not the back legs, of the couch.
How long does an area rug last?
A high-quality area rug can last a lifetime, especially if it is made of natural fiber with handwoven construction.
